Traveling from the beautiful islands and cays of The Bahamas to the United States to pursue a degree was a reality that wasn’t a reality until I stepped foot on MTSU’s campus during a college road trip when I was in high school. I was fearful but excited for this next step in my life, and this start to my journey of pursuing a career in dentistry. Being away from home I feared feeling homesick and wanting to go back home, but the more and more I got involved on campus, MTSU became my second home.

Being the introvert that I am, I initially struggled to adapt to the social atmosphere of MTSU, but it was only a matter of time before I met so many different people to help me not feel alone. I love MTSU’s plethora of organizations because they enabled me to be active and to break out of my shell and grow.

One of the best decisions I made was to join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Becoming a part of that organization brought sisterhood immediately into my life, I have sisters that are my neighbors, sisters that support me in everything that I do, and even mentors/advisors that have helped me in my journey of applying to dental school. I wouldn’t trade my sisters for the world, nor my Advisors who I see as a mother away from home.

Not only did I involve myself in sorority life, but MTSU has many resources tailored for your career goals. For me, as a Pre-Dental student, I have gained interest in Pre-scripts, Delta Delta Sigma Pre-Dental Club, Biology Club, Black Students in Medicine, and many other groups to steer me in the right steps with my career path.

MTSU is a second home for me and it is bittersweet being a Senior, but I enjoyed my experience, and I am grateful to have transitioned from being in a different country with a different culture to be able to be respected and loved by all students that I’ve interacted with.

Contributing writer Aaliyah Gray is a senior majoring in biology. She is part of the International Student Ambassador program that was launched in the Fall of 2020 by the Office of International Affairs. Ambassadors mentor incoming international students to help them adjust to the United States and give advice about getting involved on campus and how to be successful at MTSU.